A Place to Write and Do Nothing

“You should go there – it’s beautiful, and looks like Scotland.” These were the words the tourism officer for Catbalogan, the capital of Samar province, told me. I had no idea what he meant, but my curiosity was piqued. I only know Samar for its caves, waterfalls and beaches, so what place could he be…

The Happiest People and the Starriest Skies at Higatangan Island

 Note: This is the second of 2 entries about Higatangan Island. Read the first entry here. Higatangan Island in Biliran appears like a paradise with its white, shifting sandbar and its stretches of white beaches and rock formations, but it is scarce in drinking water and electricity. Electricity for homes is powered solely by generators…

The Shifting Sands and Colors at Higatangan Island, Biliran

Note: This is Part 1 of 2 entries about Higatangan Island. Read Part 2 here. Higatangan Island sandbar in Biliran Here at Higatangan Island in Biliran, the sands are never the same.  Its sandbar could snake into several meters one day and spread out in a few directions the next. The differences are most pronounced…

7 Weeks Around Visayas

Tomorrow I am going off on a seven-week backpacking trip all over Visayas. To say that I am bursting with excitement mixed with just a little fear at my first long and mostly solo travel is an understatement. In every trip I took, the longest of which was nine days so far, there was always…